The Toyota USA Foundation yesterday announced some $9.3 million in grants to prepare Chandler and Tempe students for future careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). The collaboration is part of the Driving Possibilities initiative and is a five-year phased rollout of programing in select schools.
According to Tellis Bethel, group vice president of social innovation at Toyota, the goal is to increase awareness of future STEM careers while helping build sustainable programs in the communities where Toyota employees live and work. Bethel says nearly $2 million will be available in the first year with more to come in years ahead with expansion into the Phoenix area.
Driving Possibilities focuses on PreK-12 education and builds on existing programs across the country. The long-term initiative's aim is to close educational gaps for students through innovative, hands-on STEM programming while addressing the essential needs of students and families.
The announcement supports a STEM Curriculum Pathway for elementary and middle school students. The grants will also help build community resource centers to house after-school and essential services to help provide for students and their families.
In 2022, the Toyota USA Foundation announced Driving Possibilities, a national, career readiness and community engagement initiative, launched to prepare youth for the careers of tomorrow. It is a unique approach that brings together educators, local and national nonprofits, and communities to create limitless possibilities for all.
With efforts across the PreK-12 education continuum, the program is the largest and most comprehensive in Toyota's history. The initiative is funded by Toyota USA Foundation, Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) and Toyota Financial Services (TFS).
Chandler and Tempe area schools are the sixth site to launch Driving Possibilities programming, which is based on more than 60 years of active support in Toyota communities across the U.S. and builds off the successful model in West Dallas.
